Dua — دُعَاء — is supplication: the act of calling upon Allah ﷻ directly, asking for what you need, expressing what is in your heart. The Prophet ﷺ called it “the weapon of the believer, the pillar of religion, and the light of the heavens and the earth.” (Al-Hakim, authenticated). Allah ﷻ says: “Call upon Me — I will respond to you.” (Quran 40:60). This is not an offer to certain people in certain conditions — it is a divine promise to every person who calls.
How to make dua
The Prophet ﷺ established optimal conditions for dua: begin with praise of Allah ﷻ (hamd), send salawat on the Prophet ﷺ, then make the request. Face the qiblah. Raise the hands. Be in a state of wudu if possible. Say it in sincere certainty — the Prophet ﷺ said: “Supplicate with certainty that you will be answered.” (Tirmidhi 3479). Do not restrict the request by thinking it is too much — the Prophet ﷺ said: “When one of you asks, let him ask abundantly, for he is only asking his Lord.” (Ibn Hibban, authenticated). Make dua in Arabic from the authenticated formulas, or in any language from the heart.
The best times for dua
The last third of the night — when Allah ﷻ descends and asks who is asking (Bukhari 1145). Between the adhan and iqamah (Abu Dawud 521). In sujud during prayer (Muslim 482). After obligatory prayers. On Fridays in the final hour before Maghrib. On the Day of Arafah. During rain. When fasting, at the time of breaking fast. These windows are not equal — the last third of the night and the Day of Arafah are the most powerful. Use them deliberately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dua in Islam?
Dua is supplication — calling upon Allah ﷻ directly to ask for whatever you need. The Prophet ﷺ called it the weapon of the believer. Allah ﷻ promises to respond (Quran 40:60) — either giving what was asked, storing reward in the Hereafter, or averting an equivalent harm (Ahmad 11133). Dua is never unanswered when sincere — the response is always one of these three forms.
Can you make dua in English?
Yes — the authenticated Sunnah duas are in Arabic and should be learned and used where possible, but scholars are broadly agreed that personal dua can be made in any language. The authenticated Arabic formulas carry specific prophetic authority; personal supplications from the heart in any language are heard and responded to. Both have their place — the Arabic Sunnah formulas for established occasions, personal dua in your own language when speaking to Allah ﷻ from the heart.
Call upon Me — I will respond. That is the promise. Not sometimes. Not conditionally. Every sincere call gets one of three responses. Use the last third of the night. Use the sujud. Ask abundantly.